The Effects of Cis-Chlordane and Dieldrin on the Short Food Chain: Artemia to Winter Flounder

Author

Scott McLean, University of Rhode Island

Date of Award

1980

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Food Science and Nutrition

Department

Food Science, Technology, Nutrition and Dietetics

First Advisor

Kenneth L. Simpson

Abstract

Live Artemis sp. nauplii were contaminated with the pesticides cis-chlordane and dieldrin singly and in combination at two concentrations. The bioconcentration factors were 88.29 ± 13.09 and 128.03 ± 24.78, for cis-chlordane and dieldrin, respectively. Winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, post-larvae, fed the contaminated nauplii accumulated the pesticides. The resulting bioaccumulation factors were 0.67 ± 0.33 for cis-chlordane and 0.38 ± 0.16 dieldrin. Metabolism of cis-chlordane by the Artemia sp. is indicated by the presence of oxychlordane. However, metabolism of dieldrin in the Artemia sp. is not clearly implied. Cis-chlordane was only metabolized in the winter flounder when high levels of dieldrin were present. The rate of dieldrin metabolism in the winter flounder increased with an increase in its body concentrations.

Analysis of the lipids and fatty acid methyl ester profiles of the Artemia sp. suggest that an increase in lipid metabolism occurs with pesticide contamination. The winter flounder total lipid decreased during the experimental period for all the treatment groups, including the controls, suggesting a condition of inadequate food supply. No change in the lipids vas attributed to the pesticides.

The increase in length of the fish was less in the flounder fed the combined pesticides treatment Artemia sp. than in the control or singly contaminated Artemia sp. suggesting that cis-chlordane and dieldrin acted in combination to reduce growth.

No mortalities occurred among the winter flounder during the experimental period. This demonstrates that dieldrin and cis-chlordane probably were not solely responsible for mortalities observed in test animals fed San Pablo Bay and Utah Artemia sp. in previous studies (Beck et al., 1980; Johns et al., 1980; Klein-MacPhee et al., 1980; Klein-MacPhee, unpublished data).

Recommended Citation

McLean, Scott, "The Effects of Cis-Chlordane and Dieldrin on the Short Food Chain: Artemia to Winter Flounder" (1980). Open Access Master's Theses. Paper 1525.
https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/theses/1525